India are ranked No. 2 while Australia are No. 3 and to return to the top, Australia would need to win by a margin of 4-1. Clarke has predicted a 3-2 series win for Australia.

Of the 14-member Australia squad for India tour, 10 players have already touched down the country before the limited-overs series went underway. Thanks to IPL, players like David Warner, Steven Smith, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Travis Head, Aaron Finch, James Faulkner and Glenn Maxwell have gained plenty of experience. Former Australian captain Michael Clarke claims that the expertise will be the key for Australia’s success in the limited-overs series. Players like Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Kane Richardson and Matthew Wade were not shortlisted for IPL 10. Clarke feels Smith and co. will have better of India in the 5-match ODI series that begins from Sunday at Chennai.

We have already seen Matt Renshaw affected by food poisoning during the Test series earlier this year. Keeping that in mind, Clarke wants Australians to understand not just the conditions but also the surrounding, “It’s not just the wicket you are batting on or the ground you are playing, it’s the heat, the food you eat, the hotel you are staying at. (With) these players now being involved in the IPL, India is like a second home because you spend so much time here. Yes, it’s a shame we don’t have Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood available, unfortunately due to injury. Those two will be missed. But this Australian team has no excuses. They know the conditions really well … and this is a massive series for us,” Clarke told reporters, as quoted by cricket.com.au.

Apart from just playing as per the conditions, Australia are also racing to regain the No. 1 tag back in the ODIs. South Africa had powered to the top after their limited-overs success against Australia and Sri Lanka.

India are ranked No. 2 while Australia are No. 3 and to return to the top, Australia would need to win by a margin of 4-1. Clarke has predicted a 3-2 series win for Australia.

The tour also includes a 3-match T20 series beginning October 7.

Editorial team of CricketCountry.

First Published on September 13, 2017 12:37 PM ISTLast updated on September 13, 2017 12:37 PM IST